Human Factors Interaction with Industrial Design

Abstract

A working relationship between the fields of Human Factors and Industrial Design is postulated. It is described as a symbiotic relationship evolving out of the common objectives and unique methodologies of each discipline, and determined by the characteristics of the design problem that requires their collaboration. In working toward the solution of a specific problem, the disciplines exchange leadership roles as the contributions of each field selectively predominate during various stages of the development of a solution. Three examples are discussed in which human factors specialists and industrial designers collaborated to develop design solutions. In the first, a handheld weapon was designed in accordance with the findings of a human factors analysis. These findings established requirements for the industrial designer. In the second example, a system of console and workplace modules was designed by the simultaneous application of human factors and industrial design. In the third, the functional feasibility of a concept for a small field compass was established by the human factors specialist, and the structural feasibility was established by the industrial designer.